Liverpool’s owners FSG will be unable to attend the club’s next game which could see the Reds crowned champions for the first time in 30 years because of COVID-19 quarantine rules, which come into effect today.
USA-based chairman Tom Werner, plus principal owner John Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry, often fly over to attend several matches each season, particularly ones of potential significance.
But as of June 8, visitors travelling to the United Kingdom must isolate for 14 days, meaning the Anfield chiefs from overseas will not be able to attend the fixture – the Merseyside Derby against Everton – on Sunday June 21, even if they want to.
Alll fixtures will be ‘behind closed doors’ and off limits for fans until further notice.
But The Times reports that 300 people will be allowed to attend every Premier League match, with 10 executives and directors from each club admitted.
As it stands, Liverpool need to secure six more points from their remaining nine fixtures to secure their first League Championship since 1990.
However, if defending champions and nearest rivals Manchester City lose their game in hand at home to Arsenal on Wednesday June 17 – City’s next game against Burnley, originally scheduled to be played before the Merseyside Derby now takes place the following evening on Monday June 22 – then Liverpool could clinch the title by beating Everton.
The matter is further complicated by Goodison Park still not having been confirmed as the venue for the game.
Although Premier League bosses have generally accepted that the majority of fixtures can be played at their regular stadia, the Merseyside Derby was one of a clutch of games under consideration to be moved to a neutral venue because of police concerns over fans potentially trying to congregate outside.
The local Ground Safety Advisory Group were hoping to convene today in order to offer Liverpool City Council advice on whether to grant Goodison a safety certificate to host the 236th derby.
But that all-important meeting has been pushed back until later this week.
